What are the measures?

The measures restrict the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) that passengers can carry in hand-carry luggage on all flights departing from Changi Airport and Seletar Airport. The guidelines on hand-carried luggage are:

Liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each. Liquids, aerosols and gels in containers larger than 100ml will not be accepted, even if the container is partially-filled;

Containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity not exceeding 1-litre. These containers must fit comfortably within the transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed;

Each passenger is allowed to carry only one transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be presented separately for examination;

Exemptions will be made for medications, baby food and special dietary items. These items will be subjected to additional checks at the security screening point.

Why have the security measures been implemented?

The security measures are in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) recommendation made after the reported United Kingdom (UK) aviation terror plot in August 2006.

Though there is currently no specific threat against civil aviation in Singapore, the UK incident underlines how real and continuing the global terrorist threat is. Singapore supports the recommendation as this will enhance the safety and security of the airports and its users.

Can I bring onboard bottles of jam, including kaya, and paste, including chilli crab paste?

Jams and pastes are considered liquids, aerosols and gels. Liquid, aerosol and gel items that are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each may be placed in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed, to be hand carried. If the item purchased is not essential for the flight, passengers are advised to place these items in their check-in luggage.

Do liquid, aerosol and gel items need to be in their original containers?

Is there a restriction on the number of containers that can be carried in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag?

No. However, the containers must fit comfortably within the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed. The excess containers (with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each) with liquids, aerosols and gels that cannot fit comfortably within the bag will not be allowed onboard the flight. Passengers will have to dispose of such items.

Can I carry liquids, aerosols and gels in containers larger than 100ml if there is less than 100ml of liquids, aerosols and gels in the containers?

What will happen to my liquid, aerosol and gel items in containers larger than 100ml?

Passengers should pack their liquid, aerosol and gel items in containers larger than 100ml, in their check-in luggage. Liquid, aerosol and gel items in containers larger than 100ml will not be allowed in hand-carry luggage and passengers have to dispose of such items before the security screening point. It is therefore advisable that passengers only pack liquids, aerosols and gels which are essential for the flight in their hand-carry luggage, according to the guidelines listed at Section I, and pack all other liquids, aerosols and gels into their check-in luggage before they check-in for their flight.

Can I use an ordinary plastic bag and tie a knot to seal it?

I am travelling with my baby. Is my baby also entitled to bring onboard one 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag? Can I present 2 such bags at the security screening point, one for myself and one for my baby?

Yes, passengers and their babies are each entitled to one 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag.

Will the airport authority/airlines at Changi Airport provide passengers with the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bags if they do not have such a bag?

Passengers carrying liquids, aerosols and gels items in their hand-carry luggage are advised to pack these containers (with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each) in a 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, before they arrive at Changi Airport. Such bags are readily available at supermarkets and convenience shops in Singapore or at Changi Airport (both Public Areas and Transit Malls).

What are the exemptions for medications in liquid, aerosol and gel form?

Medications in liquid, aerosol and gel form, such as insulin, cough syrups and nasal sprays, will be exempted from the new restrictions. Such items should be taken in quantities that are sufficient for the flight.

A doctor's letter or prescription, while not mandated, would be helpful in facilitating the security screening process.

If the medications are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml, passengers are encouraged to place the containers in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag. If this is not possible or if the medications are in containers larger than 100ml, the medications will be subjected to further checks at the security screening point. Passengers may also be asked to taste their medications.

What are the exemptions for baby food in liquid, aerosol and gel form?

Baby foods in liquid, aerosol and gel form, such as milk, juice and porridge, will be exempted from the restrictions, if there is a baby travelling with the adult passenger. Such items should be taken in quantities that are sufficient for the flight.

If the baby food is in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml, passengers are encouraged to place these containers in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag. If this is not possible or if the baby food is in containers larger than 100ml, the baby food will be subjected to further checks at the security screening point. The baby must also be present at the security screening point. Passengers may also be asked to taste the baby food.

Is there a restriction on the amount of baby milk powder that can be carried in hand-carry luggage?

Can I carry hot water in a flask to prepare baby food?

Yes. Hot water will be allowed for carriage in a flask if there is a baby travelling with the adult passenger, even though hot water should be available from the airline onboard the flight. The hot water should be taken in quantities that are sufficient for the flight. It will also be subjected to further checks at the security screening point.

What are the exemptions for special dietary items in liquids, aerosols and gels form?

Exemptions will be made for special dietary items in liquids, aerosols and gels form for passengers with special dietary requirements. Such special dietary items are food without which the passenger's health is threatened. They should be taken in quantities that are sufficient for the flight.

A doctor's letter or prescription, while not mandated, would be helpful in facilitating the security screening process.

If the dietary items are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each, passengers are encouraged to place the containers in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag. If this is not possible or if the special dietary items are in containers larger than 100ml, the items will be subjected to further checks at the security screening point. Passengers may also be asked to taste the special dietary items, if necessary.

* Shops Within Public Areas Passengers who purchase liquid, aerosol and gel items from shops within Changi Airport's Public Areas should place the items into their check-in luggage prior to checking in for their flight. Liquid, aerosol and gel items that are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each may be placed in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed, to be hand carried. If the item purchased is not essential for the flight, passengers are advised to place these items in their check-in luggage.

* Shops Within Transit Malls Most passengers can continue to purchase liquid, aerosol and gel items, such as liquor, wine, beer, perfumes and cosmetics (including creams/lotions/gels), at shops located within Changi Airport's Transit Malls. Such purchases will be placed in sealed tamper-evident bags provided by the shops, with the receipt clearly displayed in the sealed bags.

If the items are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each, passengers may place these items in their 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed, to be hand carried.

Passengers have to dispose of all liquid, aerosol and gel items, that do not meet the new guidelines on hand-carry luggage, before the security screening point.

Passengers who are transferring or transiting at other airports should check the restrictions applicable at those airports. Please check with Changi Airport shop staff for details.

Can passengers bring more than one tamper-evident bag onboard their flight? Is there any limit on the number of bags that can be brought onboard the flight?

If I am transferring or transiting at Changi Airport, will my liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased at other airports be accepted at Changi Airport? Will I be allowed to bring these items onboard my flight?

Passengers (except those travelling to Australia, the US or on Delta Air Lines or United Airlines*) will be allowed to bring liquid, aerosol and gel items in containers larger than 100ml onboard their flight if these items are placed in sealed tamper-evident bags with the receipt clearly displayed in the sealed bag. The receipt must show the date of purchase, item(s) purchased, name of the shop and the name of the airport. *Passengers travelling to Australia, the US or on Delta Air Lines or United Airlines should note that these destinations/airlines have imposed their own specific requirements and may not allow all transfer/transit passengers to carry liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased from foreign airports as their hand-carry luggage onto connecting flights, even if the liquids, aerosols and gels purchased are placed in sealed tamper-evident bags.

If the items purchased are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each, they can be placed in a 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed, to be hand carried.

Passengers have to dispose of all liquid, aerosol and gel items that do not meet the above requirements, before the security screening point.

If I am transferring or transiting at another airport, will my liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased at Changi Airport be accepted at the other airport?

Singapore's implementation of the restrictions on carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in hand-carry luggage is in line with ICAO's recommendation. In this regard, States that have similarly implemented ICAO's guidelines should recognise liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased at Changi Airport.

However, some States may have their own specific requirements and may not allow all transfer/transit passengers to carry liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased from foreign airports as their hand-carry luggage onto connecting flights, even if the liquids, aerosols and gels purchases are placed in sealed tamper-evident bags. Passengers who are transferring or transiting at other airports should check with their airlines or Changi Airport shop staff for more details.

Passengers (*except those travelling to Australia, the US or on Delta Air Lines or United Airlines) who have an onward flight from Singapore will be allowed to bring liquid, aerosol and gel items that were purchased onboard their earlier flight if these items are placed in sealed tamper-evident bags with the receipt clearly displayed in the sealed bag. The receipt must show the date of purchase, item(s) purchased, name of the shop and the name of the airport. *Passengers travelling to Australia, the US or on Delta Air Lines or United Airlines should note that these destinations/airlines have imposed their own specific requirements and may not allow all transfer/transit passengers to carry liquid, aerosol and gel items purchased from foreign airports as their hand-carry luggage onto connecting flights, even if the liquids, aerosols and gels purchased are placed in sealed tamper-evident bags.

If the items purchased are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each, they can be placed in a 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed, to be hand carried.

Passengers have to dispose of all liquid, aerosol and gel items that do not meet the above requirements, before the security screening point.

Is there a cut-off time for my purchase of liquid, aerosol and gel items in Changi Airport?

Passengers travelling to Australia, the US or on Delta Airlines or United Airlines are strongly encouraged to check with their respective airlines if they are eligible to purchase liquid, aerosol and gel items in Singapore Changi Airport or refer to this guide. If eligible, passengers must purchase liquid, aerosol and gel items (liquor, perfumes and cosmetics only) in Singapore Changi Airport at least 90 minutes prior to the departure time.

For all other passengers, there is no cut-off time limit for purchase of liquid, aerosol and gel items in Changi Airport prior to the departure time.

VI. Others

How can I ensure a smooth transition through the security screening points?

To facilitate their check-in and security screening processes, passengers are advised to pack all liquid, aerosol and gel items appropriately before arriving at the airport. Essentially, passengers should pack all liquid, aerosol and gel items not required during their flight in their check-in luggage. Liquid, aerosol and gel items required during the flight should be packed in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each and placed in the 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag. If passengers are unsure of any item, they are advised to pack it in their check-in luggage.

Passengers are encouraged to check in for their flight 2 to 3 hours before their flight (subject to airlines' requirements).

At the security screening point, passengers should promptly present their 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag for examination by security screening staff. All items exempted from the restrictions, such as medications, baby food and special dietary items, as well as any supporting documentation, should also be promptly presented for security checks.